BF2 Tactics/ Tips

[Bluepixie]

Hello!

This thread has now been moved to the Tactics for Battlefield 2 Wiki (http://guns.snakebomb.com/wiki/Tactics_for_Battlefield_2)

General Combat

1. Keep moving. Never ever EVER, stay out in the open if you can, and when you do, make sure you’re moving to new cover. When out in the open, you’re a sitting duck to anything and everything. Never stop in open terrain, snipers and skilled rifle users will cut you down before you even know what hit you. Only stop in open terrain if you come up against a loner enemy. When this happens you should,


A - Run for cover, you’re a harder target to hit when sprinting. If there is a fair bit of distance between you and them, crouch and let a few rip then get moving again. Once in cover, use grenades to scare/kill him and then pop out to finish the job. Or failing that, just move away, find some buddies and make a reception.

B - Hit the deck, get a bead, let rip. When there is no cover ONLY

Obviously, this all depends on the situation and the skill of the other player, but generally A will work over B.

2. Cover is the key. Moving from cover to cover, constantly surveying your surroundings and showing as little of yourself as you can. This comes with practice so don’t worry if it takes some time to get used to. The best training application for this is Ghost Recon, mark my words. Don’t get me wrong, some players can do well and not even think about this kind of stuff (i.e. vehicle junkies) but if you want to perform on foot, watch your cover. Also remember that terrain such as bushes etc can make you almost invisible even when the enemy is right on top of you. Just make sure you stay still when you’re out numbered, bushes that move tend to get shot at.

3. Control your fire. Try not to fire your weapon unless you know that you can take down the enemy. If you try and fail, you will give away your position, not just to him, but probably to the whole other team. Try to move into a good position preferably in cover were they won’t see you until it’s too late. Then mess them up.

4. Back up your Squad. Use your class to help the squad and keep track of them at all times, especially your squad leader.

5. When playing AT, try to aim for the arse end of tanks, APCs etc. Head on hits do bugger all damage, and generally get you killed. When using stationary AT, ONE hit in the back of a tank is all if takes. Remember that.

6. C4 traps are great for defending flags.




Communication


1. The most important thing in BF2 is information. It really can make the difference between life and death for you and or your teammates. When you see any form of enemy troop, spot it. It's simple as pressing "Q" when the enemy is roughly in your cross-hairs and pressing the mouse button. Now they will appear on the map for EVERYBODY in your team, for at least 30 seconds or so.

2. This is also relates to the use of the mic. It's all very well and good using the "Spotting Command" to put the enemy on the map, but sometimes this is not enough info to take down the enemy. For example, you're taking a flag from the enemy, one which people spawn at frequently ( i.e. Fushee pass, West Mine Entrance) even after you have cleared the area, more re-enforcements maybe spawning around you, generally out of sight. Sure your commander may have dropped a UAV in so everything is fine, however, if not, you are in bad situation. To you and your teammates, calling out enemies over the "Squad Mic" can make a huge difference here. A sniper covering you from the West hill in this area can spot enemies and call out with "Q" AND report their position over the "Squad Mic". This does not just apply to snipers, anyone can help. You now can see the enemy on the map AND you know from the vocal description from your teammate EXACTLY were they are. This improves your chance of killing your opponent 10 fold. It’s also good to know that a highly skilled sniper has your back. :D

3. Squad Leaders. They are there for a reason, and you should follow their orders to the letter. They have direct communication to the Commander and hence have a better idea of what is going in the battle. When they give an order, follow it to the best of your ability. Support him as best your can and keep him alive, he is your lifeline! You and your squad members can spawn on him the hence keep the fight closer to the enemy. When playing as a Medic in a squad, you should effectively play as the Squad Leaders personal medic. Everybody else comes second.

[Fyndir]

Commander:

Be a commander, give orders, spot EVERYTHING you can when you scan and drop UAVs wherever you seem to need them.


Squad Leaders:

LISTEN TO THE COMMANDER.

[Exuus]

Medic:

- If someone is badly wounded throw them a medpack - instant full heal

- In the vast majority of cases semi-auto fire will serve you better than burst


Sniper:

- Sure, you can kill a single person from further than anyone else, if you spot for your squad then you'll kill far, far more.

- Shoot and move, shoot and move, shoot and move.

- A lone person on the radar will draw enemy artillery. If you're smart you can use that to your advantage.

- Below 200m aim for headshots (instant kill) above 200m aim for the torso.

- Don't try to hit a moving target more than 200m out, wait till they stand still.


General tactics:

- Tap Q, click, then start shooting, it takes a second but makes 6 men aim at one guy instead of just you.

- Support, AT and medics pin down the enemy, spec ops and assault soldiers flank to finish the job.

- In urban maps don't get into lead throwing matches. Surprise is decisive, shoot them, move and attack from another angle again.

[DAve]

Medic:- In the vast majority of cases semi-auto fire will serve you better than burst
Is there any way to make semi-auto the default setting for the rifle? It keeps going to burst when I reselect the rifle from something else.

Cheers for the tips, guys :)

[Bluepixie]

Medic:- In the vast majority of cases semi-auto fire will serve you better than burst
Is there any way to make semi-auto the default setting for the rifle? It keeps going to burst when I reselect the rifle from something else.

Cheers for the tips, guys :)

Hmmmm, that's a very good question. However, I think that we're stuck with that setup. There is nothing in the game options that controls it and there is not a rate-of-fire option. Just have to remember to double tap your weapon button to put it to semi each time.

Unless, there is a way of changing it in your profile , edit some txt somewere maybe?

[Bluepixie]

Engineer Tips

Mines

- Mines are you're best friend. Place them at road entrances for defence of flags. Works a treat. Preferably just over the lip of a hill or on a corner were they are harder to see, or even better, in grass and water. :twisted:

- Mines can also be used in attack. Using similar tactics as the spec-ops players, sneaking up on tanks and APC while stationary and placing mines behind them. Depending on the situation, you may want to put one infront aswell, just to make sure. Putting mines on top of vehicles also works. :)

- You can throw mines much further if you jump when releasing a mine

- Another good place for mines is at the entrance to the enemies main base. Most of the good vehicles spawn here and never see them in time. One engineer and a support guy can really stop vechiles coming in if they're sneaky. This tactic can be used on enemy roads aswell.

- Put mines infront of stationary unmaned vehicles in enemy bases when you leave. Leave one vehicle for yourself though of course.

Repairs

- Before repairing artillery etc, check for C4.

- Repairing a vehicle from the outside is MUCH quicker than repairing another vehicle from inside your vehicle.

Outside = Fast repair + No Protection
Inside = Slower repair + Protection

Use what is best for the situation.

- People generally don't call for repairs on public servers, but when they do, help them as best you can because they probably need it.

- You don't always have to go back to a helipad to get repairs. Land somewere quiet and patch it up.

- Tank and APC combat can also swing in your favour if you repair your vehicle. After taking damage, if the situation allows it, get the tank/APC into cover and repair it quickly. Then get back to the fight.


Engineer Combat

- Use your pistol at anything other than close-range. Even the jack hammer is not great at anthing more than 10m. The pistol is actually suprisingly powerful and if you keep your bead, you can drop anybody including snipers. :) Well, not good snipers, but enemies at medium range are definately fair game. Just don't do it if you don't think you can't take them down. Get your M16 tolting friend to get him for you. :twisted:

- Engineers are not excellent in any kind of combat other than close range, so stick to your squad or inside vehicles as much as you can. Engineers are almost purely a support role, unlike the Medic and Support classes so don't try doing anything by yourself. Yow will get get killed.

- However, when engaging the enemy, get them at close-range. Hide round corners, lure them into building, flank them and just generally do anything to get them into close range. You have the upper hand in close combat, just look at the Weapon List (http://guns.snakebomb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=277), only an AT troop with the DAO-12 or another engineer can beat you in close-combat.

- Also if an engineer tries to lure you into a building don't follow him. Lob a grenade in instead.
:twisted:

[Strings]

Medic Addition

First thing I learnt when being a medic, and is by far the most important advice that can be given.

You are the Squadleader's bitch.

If your under heavy enemy fire, and half your team gets taken out. Leave them. Your first and foremost priority and goal, is to keep your squad leader alive.

There is no need to risk your neck for your squad mates, because they can just easily respawn right on your squadleader's location. Your squadleader, naturally, does not have this luxury. So keep him(or her) alive at all costs!

[Sideshow]

Relating to weapon mode selection (for Spec Ops specifically, but it probaly applies to medic/others too). When you are moving around you should have your weapon set to full auto. That way, if someone jumps out at you, or you walk round a corner into an enemy, you can instantly open up. If you see someone at range you have plenty of time to toggle to single-shot before you start firing. Switch back to auto before you start moving again. If you are in position, covering a flag or something, then you should leave it in single shot (assuming the position you're in is a good one, and you aren't just crouching at the flag pole...).

For the G36C - the gun is nuts. If you are firing in single shot, don't do the normal fire-pauseforrecoil-fire-pauseforrecoil-fire. The gun doesn't have any recoil. Just aim and spam the fire button.

N.B. I unlocked the Scar-L a couple of days ago. From my testing, it's shit. I think I got 1 kill with it. It like a G36C, but with less acuracy and more recoil (and, I think, marginally more damage). I dunno - maybe it's better than the G36C in CQB, as unlikely as that seems. I'll probably give it a go every now and then, but there're only so many times you can take trying to kill someone with it, only to see
"ShouldBeSoDead [G36C] SideshowFrost"...

Also, Strings' medic advice about saving the squad leader is bang on.

[Exuus]

Another bit of medic advice:

If a squad member dies right in front of you, don't try to defib him straight away, you'll probably be shot. Wait 5 or 10 seconds, there's a better chance your enemy will be looking somewhere else by that point. Bonus points if you shoot them. :)

[--Mogwai--]

ATTACK HELICOPTERS :

pilots -

1. your ROCKETS are LAME. use them as a last resort, you will be far more effective and earn far more points if you concentrate on lining up shots/strafing runs for your gunner. only when the TV missile misses or the chain gun over heats, do you let rip. exceptions include AA vehicles and other helicopters, but as a general rule infantry tanks and apcs arent worth your while. (or unless the gunner with his 10x yours field of vision cant see someone thats pointing a SRAW at you, but in that situation, chances are the tv missile already missed, the gun already over heated, and your gunner is spamming the com channel with 'enemy boat spotted')

2. GO SLOWLY. zooming about will just make you crash, make targets impossible to hit, and make getting behind cover quite tricky. if you move slowly, your gunner will take out any threats before they take out you. the most effective plan is to slowly circle a spawn point from a distance, while the ground troops cap it.

3. buildings and hills are your friends. when you hear the clear tone of doom, hit the x key. if it doesnt go away... just duck behind something, 9 times out of ten they'll lose the lock /line of sight. spazzing out and flying in frantic circles doesnt make the missiles go away.

4. altitude. flying low might look cool, but if you want to win a fight, go UP UP UP. your gunner can only shoot what is below you, and this applies no more so that when in a duel with an enemy chopper. get above them and theyre toast.

gunners -

1. LEARN WHERE THE STINGER SITES ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on every map, nothing could be more important. shoot at them even when theyre unmanned, just to be on the safe side. these take precedence over every other possible target.

2. only shoot tv missiles when theyre going to (probably) hit. the reload time is ridiculous, and nothing hurts more than being blasted out of the sky while you sit there waiting for the bar to fill up again.

3. your main gun is INSANE. (Especially on the MEC heli, the Mi-28, far and away the best gun in the entire game) just pick a rough area and spray all over it. short controlled bursts do not apply. wait until it aaalmost overheats, chill for a few seconds, then repeat. whoever you dont kill from a mile away will be too scared to do much of anything, making it easy for the troops to take the flag.

[Sideshow]

Was just reading a good copter pilot/gunner guide last week. (goes off to find a link...) http://www.totalbf2.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-28426.html

Also, this thread would be much better suited to the wiki. I realise this as I'm half way through a specops guide. Once I get it done I'll put it on the Wiki, and move all this stuff there too (unless someone else does it first...)

[--Mogwai--]

yah that guides pretty good. it took me forever before i thought to look up stuff like that, then as soon as you read a few 'proper' guides, your gameplay improves tenfold. spec ops guide would be good, i play it more than any other kit yet i still dont really know what im doing with it.

[Bluepixie]

Cheers iain, was thinking of doing that, but didn't get round to it. :D I'll amend the first post in here and put ina link.

[GingerPrinz]

Squad makeup

This is an interesting and often ignored part of BF2. Sure, everyone has their favorite class, and might switch to AT once in a while when there's some hostile armor on their position, but rarely do I see entire squads communicating to decide who's fulfilling what role in their squad, or even players understanding the role they should be undertaking when selecting their class.

Obviously since the game itself is a first person shooter the first thing anyone will look at when deciding upon their class is the gun. Do they like it, does it aim well, can they kill people with it? Then they look at their awesome accessories like ammo bags, C4 and 'nades, and think "There's a valuable resource I can squander and abuse". My friend, it doesn't have to be that way.

Lest I ramble off on a tangent about individuals, let me now address the issue at hand, squad makeup. No, I'm not talking about that flashy black stuff you stuck under your eyes in BF:Vietnam, I'm talking about who does what job in a well structured squad.

In my opinion there are plenty of effective squads or lone wolves out there more than capable of enjoying a game of BF2 without concerning themselves with stuff like this. The fact is, the game is a simulation of war, and in war, if you run about on your own with an MP5, or if 5 medics run into a tank, quick death ensues. Playing as part of a dominant BF2 squad is a truly rewarding experience, knowing you're all "doing your bit" to help out the team.

Squad 1 - The flag capturer

2 Medic
1 Support
2 Assault OR 1 Assault 1 Engineer/AT if map is vehicle heavy)

This squad's duty is to capture flags, it's a weapon orientated squad with smoke grenades to avoid tanks and choppers, and if there's plenty of metal opposing you, it can easily accomodate an engineer or AT. The medics should use their long sights to spot anyone guarding the flag from distance. The assault troops can use grenade launchers with impunity to flush enemies out of enclosed areas, since ammo will not be a problem for this team. One of the medics should probably be the squad leader so they can stay at the back providing a constant respawn point while providing good long range support fire. They will be responsible for keeping the support guy alive. The other medic and the assault troops should engage the enemies at close range where their weapons are the best, taking care not to obstruct the supporting fire. I like the engineer/assault build better as the engineer can repair an APC (which this squad can all fit in). If this tactic is used then the engineer should not drive the APC. Once this troupe has captured a flag it should heal and ream as quickly as possible and move, because it doesn't want to be there when the tanks come en masse to reclaim it. That's a better job for...

Squad 2 - The Tank Hunters

2 AT
1 Support
1 Engineer/Spec Ops

Pretty self explanatory. The AT boys shoot into the backs of tanks, while they distract them the engineer/spec ops sneaks in with the killer blow. The Support guy is Squad leader and should stay alive AT ALL COSTS and should NEVER ENGAGE OR DISTRACT TANKS - no medics needed here.

Squad 3 - Flag defense

1 Sniper
1 Engineer
1 Support

Again easy, the sniper and engineer place strategic claymores and AT mines to protect the flag. This squad can defend 2 or 3 flags with the right tactics. If the sniper drops once claymore at 2 flags, then gets into a position where he can cover the 3rd, and the support/engineer get into a fast jeep and find another vantage point, they will be alerted to any of their flags being taken and will be able to respond swiftly. This squad needs to be small so that resources are not taken away from the larger flag capturing squad. The sniper should be squad leader since the support + engineer will most likely die together.

Squad 4 - Armor Team

2 Engineers

Simplest tactic ever. Get into 2 tanks or APCs and drive near each other. Both vehicles auto repair and kill tallys are massive.

Squad 5 - N00b squad

any of:

4 spec ops
2 assault, 2 spec ops
3 assault, 1 engineer (because he thinks the shotgun is "funny")
4 medics (who will revive noone unless they're beside an enemy tank)

I left snipers out of that since most n00b snipers tend to lone gun it.

Anyway, since this is a trial effort, its 2am and i'm too $t0n3d to write anymore, I shall conclude by saying this: The next time you join up in a BF2 squad, why not hassle your commander for a purpose, work out some quick tactics, assemble a coherent tight fighting unit and go wage some nicely structured, 100% efficient war.

[--Mogwai--]

bump!

[Greasel_burger]

All good points raised there, however i have never found a squad that does well going in the planned mode, you need to be adaptable BF2 is too fast paced for micomanaging squads.

With the heli guide, the ultimate expression of skill is solo flying, Point to the left of the target and quicky switch to the gunner;s seat and TV missles, let one rip... if you miss, switch back to the pilot seat ASAP before you crash.

You can get some insane scores with this. Best map for it is dalin plant, big open and great for TV missle shots, the only thing that can take you down is rammers and other copters. And TV missles are great for killing copters :lol:

If your looking for general tips try www.secretsofbattlefield.com, its a decent site and the forums contain alot of helpful info

[GingerPrinz]

All good points raised there, however i have never found a squad that does well going in the planned mode, you need to be adaptable BF2 is too fast paced for micomanaging squads.

With the heli guide, the ultimate expression of skill is solo flying, Point to the left of the target and quicky switch to the gunner;s seat and TV missles, let one rip... if you miss, switch back to the pilot seat ASAP before you crash.

You can get some insane scores with this.

No offense meant here, but this is the exact attitude that I'm trying to change. Squads do well in planned mode. Of course they do, it's a game simulating war, which underpins great strategy with edge-of-the-seat confrontations requiring improvisation. Just because you may have to take a 1 minute detour from your mission to spot another enemy squad (or kill them if they have the drop on you) does not mean that you then have to abandon the mission once you have done so. In my opinion any commander worth his salt should be able to manage 2 or 3 squads.

The ultimate expression of solo skill is not a factor to consider when playing BF2. Never once have I finished a round and gone "thank God we had <N00B>LoneWolf on our team, flying that helipcopter on his own when it's like 10 times as effective with 2 people in it. What an incredulous display of solo skill. Songs will be written of him after he has passed." That said, often have I finished a round and thought "F%&^&*%( VEHICLE WH0RZA!!!""""

FInally, and the crux of the whole attitude that I believe better suited to CS:S, points in BF2 in no way make prizes when you're playing at a LAN. It's only bragging rights, and you'll have a better time bragging when your 4 sqaudmates are boasting alongside you, talking about how funny it was that your opponents helicopter kept falling as it was shooting, and didn't they think it was just the most incredible display of solo skill they'd ever seen.

[CaNNoN_FoDDa]

lol, nice reply. Although it's true, in my (limited) (http://bf2s.com/player/75313037/) experience, that games online tend to be more geared towards lonewolfing, it's also true (and self-evident) that squads are much more effective

[YegaDoyai]

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/8740/bunnyhoppingzt8.jpg

[Octavion]

Something I've noticed recently in BF2 is that most people totally ignore the role of bounding over watch and covering fire. When advancing on an enemy position as a team you should advance to the next piece of cover one man at a time so the rest of the squad can provide covering fire from their positions. This pins down an enemy so you can move across the open ground between cover without having to worry about return fire as much.

Obviously you don't need to use this tactic all the time i.e. when moving over large bits of ground where you know there is no enemy threat. However it would be nice to see people using this tactic instead of having the whole squad charge at a machine gun and hope he misses you all.

[CaNNoN_FoDDa]

I think it's called leapfrogging. It should be pretty obvious that tactics developed for use in RL (http://www.specialoperations.com/Focus/Tactics/) can apply equally well in games (as long as they are sufficiently realistic). However, most online players have the mentality of teenage cannon fodder.

[--Mogwai--]

Something I've noticed recently in BF2 is that most people totally ignore the role of bounding over watch and covering fire. When advancing on an enemy position as a team you should advance to the next piece of cover one man at a time so the rest of the squad can provide covering fire from their positions. This pins down an enemy so you can move across the open ground between cover without having to worry about return fire as much.

Obviously you don't need to use this tactic all the time i.e. when moving over large bits of ground where you know there is no enemy threat. However it would be nice to see people using this tactic instead of having the whole squad charge at a machine gun and hope he misses you all.

the only problem with this is when the enemy decides to start throwing (and shooting) grenades at you... in practice its generally easier just to throw your nades at them first then tank forward with a medikit in hand and hope for the best. most people underestimate nades.. theyre far and away the best piece of kit you get, unlocked or otherwise. im sure with a ridiculous amount of teamwork you could pull off a near unstoppable manouvere something along those lines... not something that'll ever happen online!
at a LAN perhaps would be a lot better.

[gor]

With the heli guide, the ultimate expression of skill is solo flying, Point to the left of the target and quicky switch to the gunner;s seat and TV missles, let one rip... if you miss, switch back to the pilot seat ASAP before you crash.


What I usually do, is pilot a chopper, have maybe one gunner (fill every seat if you have da skillz!) and then every three seconds switch seats for variation. After the third seat rotation the current pilot sends the chopper spiralling over a populated flag (helps shake those nasty missiles). Once the chopper is spinning at 100RPM order your gunners to hold down that mouse 1 button and SPRAY - BOOM HEADSHOT, BANG! HEADSHOT, SHOOT THAT SHIT!

[Uuurrahh]

Something I've noticed recently in BF2 is that most people totally ignore the role of bounding over watch and covering fire. When advancing on an enemy position as a team you should advance to the next piece of cover one man at a time so the rest of the squad can provide covering fire from their positions. This pins down an enemy so you can move across the open ground between cover without having to worry about return fire as much.

Obviously you don't need to use this tactic all the time i.e. when moving over large bits of ground where you know there is no enemy threat. However it would be nice to see people using this tactic instead of having the whole squad charge at a machine gun and hope he misses you all.

YOU SAID BOUNDING OVERWATCH!!!!! I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE ALTERNATE OR SUCCESSIVE, MARRY ME!!!!

[YegaDoyai]

Gor was highlighting the 'Orky' style of fighting, lets face it Orks are cool and that sounded cool, I suggest that as of the next LAN we all play as if we were Orks. You can read the fluff all over the internet but there are clans that prefer mech (armour) boys or shoota boys and as such we can decide that you are for instance, a Goff, so you can only go AT and use either the knife or sub machine gun (Goffs don't trust high tech and would far rather stick a knife in you than shoot you from a distance away). The general Ork attitude is well suited to a 'fun' game, essentally you need to mass at one point and then determine where the enemy is (not what your objective is or anything sensible) and fight them. Simple, clean fun. Maybe I should make it into a mod. The mod would clearly make the weapons hideously overpowered but liable to failure. And the veh would be much faster but have restricted viewing and unable to manouver (or slow down) once a certain speed has been reached.

[CaNNoN_FoDDa]

Youd have to reduce the number of available commands aswell.

Think youd only really need one.

[YegaDoyai]

Waaaaaaagh!

Perchance?

[CaNNoN_FoDDa]

That works. I was thinking 'Attack', but i'll bow to your superior familiarity with trollishness.

[YegaDoyai]

Orks, not trolls

Orks are a warmongering race.

Trolls live under bridges and eat goats.

Only one is fictional.

[CaNNoN_FoDDa]

ah, sorry-sorry. Monday is still with me.

[YegaDoyai]

Yeah I'm still on monday time myself. Gonna just pass out right here on the desk.

[CaNNoN_FoDDa]

One day im gonna get bored with this job and find a monkey to dress up like me and do it for me.

[Greasel_burger]

BF2 is not "realistic" in the conventional sense. Unlike CS, death means little, just a 15 second downtime before respawn.

From my experance playing the game to death, cover and move tactics dont work, its too slow. It would work if people took cover, but in BF2, they dont.

also the fact that the medic unlock (G36E) is deadly in all respects (moving or otherwise) means that players often "rambo" it. It works too, moving fast (thanks to BF2's hit detection problems a sprinting target is really hard to hit) bunnyhopping when caught in the open and using medikits alot really really works. If you want tactics go play america's army. BF2 team tactics extend to what flag you want to take first. Oh and for heli flying, if you have a good gunner on a voice chat, your near unstoppable, but if your gunner is not, your screwed repeatedly. the only real problem with solo flying is that you lack close up firepower if your TV missle misses. (so long as you dont do it on an urban map)

[CaNNoN_FoDDa]

BF2 is not "realistic" in the conventional sense. Unlike CS, death means little, just a 15 second downtime before respawn.
No game is a realistic interpretation of combat. If they were, we would play them very differently (if at all). There would definately be a whole lot less lonewolfing and ramboing.

BF2 team tactics extend to what flag you want to take first.
I think you're getting confused there between tactics and strategy.

[DAve]

BF2 is not "realistic" in the conventional sense. Unlike CS, death means little, just a 15 second downtime before respawn.

From my experance playing the game to death, cover and move tactics dont work, its too slow. It would work if people took cover, but in BF2, they dont.

...If you want tactics go play america's army. BF2 team tactics extend to what flag you want to take first...
Welcome to the forum, that's a pretty good summary of BF2 to start. As always with an online game, your experience is limited by your squad. I've had some fantastic games with pausegaming chaps and some dire experinces on some servers. It varies a lot.

BF2 isn't the best game to go for tatics, but the project reality mod is good fun. It tweaks the engine to give a much more realistic experience, no "I'm an enemy" flashy graphics that appear, realistic rifles etc.etc.
To cut a long story short, sometimes realistic isn't fun, sometimes it is.

[GingerPrinz]

BF2 is a game based on modern warfare, so obviously it is realistic in the conventional sense. It operates within it's own sensible parameters (it uses respawns because it has to mimic the back and forth of war, as opposed to the close quick confrontation aspect of CS) and it's just better to play it well. OK so move and fire might not work in your experience, that doesn't mean there aren't very important tactical manouevres you can take in a squad to improve your gaming experience, both in enjoyment and success. I see your point in relation to nameless recreational online play, but for a LAN game or a Clan match tactics are essential, and we are a LAN gaming society looking to form a clan are we not?